Introduction

The forestry sector in Kenya has been evolving over the years, from management to training, research, and development. Efforts towards afforestation, reforestation, and restoration have also increased as various forest sector actors take lead in the activities. While these efforts are effective in ensuring sustainable forest management, the use of technology is quickly picking global attention. Technological development in the recent past has created new opportunities for the sector. Through technologies, the entire forestry value chain is set to be transformed in terms of productivity and efficiency. In this article, we share some of the innovations, tools, and technologies in the forestry sector aimed at increasing efficiency in operations and also providing guidance on tree growing in Kenya.

Solar Heat Storage for Drying Forest Tree Seeds (SoFTS)

The SoFTS technology housed at KEFRI Headquarters, Muguga aims at drying tree seeds in the shortest time. The technology is a collaboration between KEFRI, The Brunel University, and Enso Impact and is a first in Kenya and in Africa in the forestry sector. Unlike other tree seed drying methods that take approximately six weeks to dry the seeds, SoFTS takes only three days.

This not only shortens the seed drying time but also saves costs in reduced energy consumption.  The drying technology relies on solar energy which is also a step towards sustainable production hence reducing carbon emissions. Due to the reduced seed drying time the technology takes, it will help in increasing KEFRI’s capacity to increased annual seed production to help meet the growing demand for high-quality seeds.

Seedballs Technologies

Pioneered by Seedballs Kenya, the Seedballs technique is a low-cost and effective forest regeneration technique. It involves the coating of seeds with charcoal dust which is mixed with a nutritious binder. The coated seeds are easy to disperse reducing seed wastage. The coat also protects the seed from predators and direct sunlight giving the seed a better survival opportunity. Using this technology, seeds are planted directly on the degraded landscape which reduced transplanting costs and also ensures the development of a strong rooting system for the trees. The technology also allows for aerial seeding techniques to be used in large-scale projects as was used in the restoration of the Mau Complex.

Plantech Kenya

Plantech Kenya Limited is a seedling nursery company that propagates seedlings for mass production. The company introduced mass production of forest tree species in their line of business with three tree species namely cypress, eucalyptus, and cider seedlings. With the increasing demand for forest tree seedlings in the country, there is a need for a mass supply of the seedlings. Plantech mass produces forest tree seedlings through vegetative propagation where clonal materials are replicated for mass production which helps meet the demand for the same.

Species Site Matching Tool

A product of Gatsby Africa, SSMT helps tree growers select the most suitable tree species for their site. The tool uses soil, rainfall, altitude, soil types, soil depth, and species performance to assist tree growers and investors identify the appropriate tree species. SSMT can be accessed using Georeferenced PDF or ArcGIS online. The tool provides information on how suitable a tree species is on the selected site showing a suitability range of very suitable to not suitable.

KEFRIApp

Trees have the ability to grow in any region, whether the highlands or the drylands such as the ASAL regions with the largest parcels of lands in Kenya. However, it is crucial to growing the right tree species in the right ecological zone. The KEFRIApp is a site-species matching tool that assists tree growers to identify the correct tree species to grow in a certain ecological zone. The mobile platform offers guidance to the users on the types of tree species to grow in the desired area. The application that was launched in 2021 aims to provide not only species-site matching services but also provide information on the location of tree nurseries on the platform and also document tree planting activities on a real-time basis. The application is available for download on Google Play Store.

Earth Observation Platform Tools

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in collaboration with the National Centre for Earth Observation at the University of Leicester co-developed a rapid deforestation monitoring system. The system sends alerts every 5 days to help detect any changes in the forest resources such as changes in the forest cover. The system uses Copernicus Sentinel-2 images at 10m spatial resolution allowing detection of even small-scale logging in the forests.

The system developed under the Forest 2020 project sends near real-time alerts to the forest rangers and managers who can then patrol the region identified. The satellites send images to the server which can then be compared with the previous images to ascertain the changes. The system is critical for monitoring forest changes effectively at both a regional and national scale. It also enables the rangers to react quickly to any threat that may arise. At the same time, the system helps KFS monitor the tree cover in Kenya. Such monitoring tools act as early warning systems to halt further destruction by humans, through illegal logging or settlement, or through wildfires.

Tree Nursery Registration System

The Voluntary Registration of Institutions and Private Tree Nurseries in Kenya aims to establish a comprehensive and credible database for Institutional and Private tree nurseries, map tree nurseries in the country, enhance networking and provide market linkages for tree seedlings and also improve tree seedlings production and nursey management standards. The portal, spearheaded by Kenya Forest Service (KFS), aims at promoting buying of certified, high-quality seedlings and providing a market for the tree seedlings in private and institutions’ tree nurseries. The database can act as a link between buyers and the tree nurseries.

Timbeter Application

Sustainable forest management is dependent on various factors among them ensuring efficiency in operations. The Timbeter App is already in use within Kenya Forest Service, it is expected to revolutionize public plantation management. Timbeter App is a digital timber measurement solution using artificial intelligence and machine learning technology for accurate log detection. It aims at eradicating illegal logging and also improving the monitoring and supply of timber using the unique algorithm.

The application helps in reducing the cost of log inventory and is the easiest and quickest solution to the measurement of round-wood. Timbeter is an easy-to-use mobile platform that provides services such as inventory and measurements. Replacing the manual paper-based measurements with Timbeter will help ensure efficiency and transparency in the forestry sector. The application is available on Google Play Store and Apple Store.

Cross-Laminated Timber

BuildX Studio is a company in the construction industry spearheading the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the industry. The company aims to reduce embodied carbon in buildings by using alternative, low-carbon building materials. CLT involves using small pieces of timber and gluing them together to create huge panels. CLT has several benefits over concrete and steel including; it is stronger, lighter which reduced the materials needed for foundation development, and is up to 70% faster to construct. For effective mass production of timber for construction, there is a need to increase commercial forestry in the country for the supply of the construction material. BuildX constructed a prototype at Tatu City where interested individuals can visit to see the use of CLTs in construction.

Forests are very important ecosystems to the socio-economic development of the country. They provide various ecosystem goods and services that directly or indirectly support the current and future generations and MUST be protected. Furthermore, forests play a vital role in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts as noted in the signed Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), where Kenya commits to reduce emissions by 32% by 2030. In the Bonn Challenge and the AFR100, Kenya made a commitment to restore 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes by 2030.

The above notwithstanding, Kenya’s forest cover is way below the global average forest cover of 31%.  Over the years, forest resources in Kenya have been threatened through unlawful excisions and changes of boundaries. The paradigm shift was achieved through the repealed Forest Act 2005, which created Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Forest Conservation Committee (FCC), and mandated them to act according to the National Land Policy. FCMA 2016, enacted in accordance to the Constitution of Kenya (COK), 2010, further continues to protect public forests and progressively aid in the achievement and maintenance of a 10% tree cover through institutions such as KFS, FCC, and Community Forest Associations (CFAs).

The society notes with great concern the pressure to vary forestry boundary and in some cases, proposals to degazetted forests in the following ecosystems; Kakamega, Turbo, Ngong, Mau, Mt Elgon, Cherangany/Embobut, Kiambu, Tana River, Kipini/Witu, Aberdare, Mt. Kenya, Arabuko Sokoke, Marmanet, Ol Arabel, Lembus, Got Ramogi among others.

Based on the above, Kenya Forests Organisation OPPOSES the proposed amendment to delete section 34 (2A) of the FCMA 2016 due to the following reasons;

1. The proposed amendment will fuel forest encroachment and degazettement, which is a big hinderance to the achievement of the constitutional requirement of attaining and maintaining 10% tree cover in the country;
2. The amendment threatens efforts made by KFS and communities CFAs to protect existing forest areas and reclaim lost forest areas;
3. The amendment will amplify the risk faced by fragile forest ecosystems such as the those listed above while at the same time leading to biodiversity loss in these forest ecosystems;
4. The proposed amendment negates the National and global efforts to address climate change through zero deforestation;
5. The proposed amendment does not meet the requirement of Article 118(1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010;
6. The proposed amendment counters the overall object of the FCMA, 2016, which establishes KFS as the key institution in forest conservation and management;

Kenya Forests Organisation opposes any attempt to derail efforts made by its forestry professionals from the various government and private organizations in increasing, protecting, and maintaining the country’s forest resources and greening the nation.

The global forest cover is estimated at 4.06 billion hectares according to Global Forest Resources Assessment Report 2020. The plantation forests cover approximately 131 million hectares which is just 3% of the total global forest area. At the same time, 420 million hectares of forests have been lost globally since 1990. According to UNREDD, the global annual forest plantation production capacity should be at 1.8 billion m² by 2020 to meet the growing wood demand.  

In Kenya, the forest sector plays a key role in socio-economic development, contributing to approximately 3.6% of the country’s GDP which is exclusive of the environmental services. It further supports the urban and rural population through the provision of charcoal and wood fuel.  The sector has also provided jobs for approximately 18,000 to 50,000 people directly and 300,000 to 600,000 indirectly.

The wood deficit in the country is increasing as the demand for wood and wood products increases. This has led to increased imports of these products from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China some of which are from illegal logging sites. Some of the wood imported are of poor quality which ultimately leads to the production of sub-standard material. The wood supply deficit spiked following the logging ban in public and community forests in 2018, which are the main sources of wood products in the country.

As Kenya experiences a wood deficit, commercial forestry is one approach that will bridge this gap. It will further lead to an increase in forest cover and reduce the pressure on the natural forests. Commercial forestry entails tree growing for the purpose of sale and wealth creation. Private lands, rangelands, and suitable grasslands are some of the potential areas for commercial forestry in Kenya. Similarly, public and community forests also have the potential for commercial plantation either by the government or by private entities through concessions.

The establishment of 150,000 hectares of commercial private forests plantations is one of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Adaptation Actions for the period  2020-2030. This is expected to give impetus to the aspiration to have a sustainable wood supply within the country. Though the opinion is divided on where these hectares for commercial forestry will come from, consensus exists on the immense opportunity of the ASAL areas which constitute up to 80% of the total land in Kenya and can be utilized for commercial forestry. Therefore, the need for more research and development of commercial tree species adaptable to the climatic conditions of the ASAL regions cannot be overemphasized.

Concessioning of public plantations is another possible approach that can be adopted. Section 44 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, provides for concessioning of public forests. This approach is expected to attract capital and investment from the private sector and revitalize the public plantation, which has received a fair share of criticism from many quotas.

Incentivizing tree growing is an approach that can help attract more individuals and private entities to the commercial forestry business. Commercial forestry needs to be a lucrative and bankable business to attract more investors. Incentives on products like seeds or taxes incentives or disincentives can impact the supply and demand of wood products from the local sources. There is a need to streamline the chain of custody including licenses/permits required for one to own, harvest, transport, and produce wood and wood products in Kenya. There is a significant number of players who feel the current chain of custody is too bureaucratic and costly for a smallholder farmer and could be seen as a disincentive to the tree-growing business.

Innovations and developments in forestry should be embraced to upscale commercial forestry in Kenya.  Species-site matching tools, for example, should be mainstreamed to enable growers to know the right species they should plant. The Species Site Matching Tool developed by Gatsby Africa KEFRIApp by KEFRI, MitiCalc by the University of Eldoret, and Nursery Registration Portal by KFS are examples of tools that help growers make informed choices and gain the requisite guidance on tree growing in Kenya.

There is also a need for effective market linkages between tree growers and consumers, both locally and beyond the Kenyan borders. Inadequate market linkages are one of the main hindrances to investment in commercial forestry. If these linkages are well developed and a transparent pricing mechanism developed, most investors and individuals would invest in commercial forestry as a business venture which ultimately benefits the nation’s economy.

In conclusion, commercial forestry is a business venture that investors need to look at. This is informed by the fact that wood demand is set to increase as the population increases. Partnerships between the public and the private sector are also paramount in spearheading commercial forestry in Kenya. The need to embrace, improved technologies and quality germplasm are not only vital but urgent if a sustainable supply of wood products in Kenya is to be achieved.

It is estimated that 420 million ha of forests have been lost globally since 1990. A forest resource assessment report by FAO further indicated that between 2015-2020, the annual deforestation rate was estimated to be 10 million hectares. Despite the role played by forests in carbon sequestration, deforestation and forest degradation lead to massive emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This increasing rate of deforestation and forest degradation globally formed the basis of discussion during the COP26 World Leaders Summit on, ‘Action on Forests and Land Use’. The event led to alliances and commitments from various governments, private institutions and companies, and development and financial actors. During the event, various declarations, agreements, and pledges were made as highlighted below.

Reducing Forest Deforestation and Degradation

The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use was endorsed by 133 nations who committed to collectively halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting inclusive rural transformation. Kenya is among the 133 countries that endorsed the declaration. The leaders committed to conserving forest and terrestrial ecosystems and accelerating restoration; reducing vulnerability, building resilience, and enhancing rural livelihoods; reaffirm international financial commitments for various efforts including forest conservation and restoration and sustainable forest management, and also facilitate the alignment of finances with goals to reverse forest degradation and loss.

The Lowering Emissions to Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition mobilized 1 billion USD in 2021 for the nations committed to reducing deforestation and protecting tropical and sub-tropical forests. LEAF brings together both public and private sector entities to provide finances for the conservation and protection of tropical and sub-tropical forests. 23 jurisdictions, including Kenya, have submitted eligible proposals to LEAF.

The Multilateral Development Banks launched a joint nature statement with a commitment to mainstream nature in policies, investments, analysis and assessments, and operations in line with mandates and operating models. The 9 MDBs also committed to continuing to support public and private sector clients to participate and benefit from the global carbon markets. The banks also committed to supporting countries in the implementation of nature-based solutions and plans and strategies such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Land-use change from forest lands to agricultural lands has been a major challenge in the forestry sector. As part of their commitment to addressing climate change, investors committed to eliminate agricultural commodity-driven deforestation at their respective companies and their financing activities by 2025. Additionally, the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Statement was signed as part of a roadmap of actions to deliver sustainable trade and reduce pressure on forests.

Resource Mobilization

Donor countries have shown interest and commitment towards financing forest-related efforts in curbing climate change. At the summit, a Global Forest Finance Pledge was established set to finance the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forests. In this pledge, 12 donor nations pledged to collectively mobilize 12 billion USD for forest-related climate finance between 2021 to 2025. Furthermore, Congo Basin Joint Donor Statement was developed with 12 countries and philanthropic donors making an initial collective pledge of at least 1.5 billion USD between 2021 and 2025 to protect the Congo Basin Forest, the second-largest tropical rainforest globally.

The Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLC) are some of the key stakeholders in forest conservation and management. The IPLCs provide guardianship in protecting tropical forests and preserving the vast ecosystem services. The IPLCs do not have land tenure rights and also access to the resources they have protected over the years. During the summit, 14 countries and donors pledged 1.7 billon USD  from 2021- 2025 to support IPLCs through capacity building, sustainable livelihoods, financial support for group activities; and also, activities to secure, strengthen and protect IPLCs land and resource rights. Leaders also committed to promoting effective participation and inclusion of IPLCs in decision making

As nations work towards increasing tree cover and keeping global temperatures below 1.5⁰C as per the Paris Agreement in COP21, halting deforestation should be one of the strategies used. Forests provide a wide range of services including the much-needed carbon sequestration, air purification, water catchment areas, and other ecosystem services. As Kenya targets a 10% tree cover, halting deforestation and reversing the lost forest resources is key to meeting this target. Practices such as farm forestry and farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) should be adopted to not only help increase the tree cover and reduce pressure on natural forests but also improve livelihoods. There is need for a collective effort between both government and the private sector to protect, restore, conserve and manage forest resources in Kenya.

According to the  Sixth Assessment Report 2021 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures will hit 1.5⁰C by the early 2030s. Another report by the World Meteorological Organization 2021 indicated that the global mean temperature for 2021 was approximately 1.090C above the 1850-1900 average. The report also noted the increase in intensity and frequency of extreme weather such as heatwaves, wildfires, drought, and floods as the greenhouse gases emissions also increased.

Over the past decade, the impacts of climate change have been ravaging Kenya. From increased intensity and frequency of drought to floods to the rising sea and lake/rivers levels, the impacts of climate change are being felt in the country. Like many countries in Africa, Kenya contributes less than 1% of the global total emissions, yet bears the brunt of the climate change impacts. This has led to great socio-economic losses and impedes development in the region.

Kenya has various policies and legislations in place in line with international and regional commitments. These laws are geared towards enabling the country to deal with climate change through mitigation and adaptation strategies. Some of the policies in place include Climate Change Act, 2016, National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2018-2022. Some such as the County Climate Change Fund (CCCF) helps in delivering adaptation benefits to the counties.

Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions

Kenya has updated and submitted the country’s First NDC with a commitment to reduce emissions by 32% by 2030. The cost estimate for the implementation of the mitigation and adaptation actions is approximately US$62 billion with Kenya financing 13% of the total cost and 87% from international support. The forestry sector has a major role in ensuring the country’s commitment and targets are fully achieved as stated in the action plan.

In October 2021, the World Bank approved a US$150 million loan to Kenya to enhance the country’s capacity to combat climate change effects.  Strengthening local resilience to climate change impacts and increasing the adaptive capacity of the communities and the countries at large is key. The US$150 Million Credit will aid in the implementation of strategies in line with the NCCAP 2018-2022 and help Kenya meet the NDCs targets.

Role of the forestry sector under the NDCs

Kenya is cognizant of the potential that the forestry sector has in mitigating against climate change and has set aside strategies and actions to scale- up this potential. One of the activities under mitigation is making progress towards achieving 10% tree cover done through various campaigns and projects. The National Tree Planting Campaign (NTPC) Project is one of the government’s initiatives to help achieve at least 10% tree cover.

Scale-up of nature-based solutions is another activity under the mitigation strategies. Nature-based solutions to addressing climate change are some of the most cost-effective actions to deal with the menace. The Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is one approach in forestry that has been used as a nature-based solution to restore degraded areas.

Enhancement of REDD+ is another activity under the mitigation efforts. This involves reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon sinks. REDD+ project in Chyulu Hills is among the successful projects in the country. There is a need to enhance and expand these projects to reduce deforestation and ensure forest conservation.

Kenya also targets to rehabilitate and conserve degraded forests, establish 150,000ha of commercial private forests plantations and plant 350,000 agroforestry trees on farmlands in the adaptation strategies. In the fight against climate change, forestry can help by providing a safety net for income and livelihood enhancement. This can be done through the sale of wood and non-wood forest products (NWFP) such as gums, raisins, and honey and the planting of fruit trees on farmlands.

Conclusion

Like many countries in Africa, Kenya has shown its commitment to fighting climate change. As a developing nation, the country needs financial support to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies. In line with the Paris Agreement, 2015, developed nations need to honor their commitments and pledges towards climate financing to help cushion developing nations such as Kenya from climate change impacts that are escalating.

The Conference of Parties (COP26), is therefore seen as the last opportunity for the world leaders to make sound decisions and actions to control the escalating global temperatures before the impact is irreversible. The summit offers nations an opportunity to renew their commitments, honor the pledges made, and set new targets geared towards significantly reducing emissions. All nations need to have clear actions and commitments to reducing emissions. It is time for all nations across the globe to take action.

Video by: Caroline Kerichu

Kirisia Forest is a 92000 ha forest reserve located in the samburu heartland. It is one of the oldest state forests reserve in Kenya gazetted in the year 1933. Also known as Leroghi, the forest is endowed with rich biodiversity of different unique species of flora and fauna. It is not only a rich habitat for wildlife but also a hot spot for biodiversity conservation and a potentially important attraction for tourism.

The forest reserve provides for the wellbeing and livelihood of the local community and for their cultural and spiritual meaning. This unique relationship with the forest has enabled the community to safeguard the different biodiversity, and also enhance the needs to bring back the traditional knowledge on conservation and integrate it to generations.

Recently, efforts of multi-stakeholders involvement especially with the local community engagement in the rehabilitation and conservation of the forest reserve through awareness and purposive sensitization programmes has been significant in restoring this ecosystem. More than 5,000 people, who had encroached and illegally settled in some parts of Kirisia Forest mainly for livestock grazing fields and water access voluntarily moved out.

Kenya Forests Organisation undertook a project that involved the establishment of three tree nurseries that are community driven and community owned through the local Community Forest Associations within Kirisia Forest, which was supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF) through Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), and in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, and County Government of Samburu.

Globally, the International Day of Forests (IDF) is observed on the 21^st of March every year. In 2012, the UN General Assembly declared March 21^st as the IDF with the aim of raising awareness of the importance and significance of all forest types. It is a day that serves as a reminder of the role forests play for biodiversity, human beings, and also in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This year’s theme was “Forest Restoration, a path to recovery and well-being”. Climate change has greatly affected livelihoods and biodiversity and its impact is still being felt across the globe. Forests act as carbon sinks and sequester tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere. Restoring forests and ensuring sustainable management of the resources will help fight climate change and help countries meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets.

A report by the State of the World’s Forests, 2020, emphasized the need for nations to step up and take action to protect and conserve the forest resources citing the alarming deforestation and degradation rates. Globally, the rate of deforestation was estimated at 10 million hectares annually. The report stated that since 1990, approximately 420 million hectares of forest have been lost through encroachment and change of land use.

Kenya has a goal of attaining and maintaining at least 10% tree cover by 2022. Restoration of the degraded forest land is one approach that can help reach this target. In his statement, Minister for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Keriako Tobiko urged Kenyans to take advantage of the rains and plant trees citing the benefits associated with trees. He noted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no public ceremony commemorating the day. He also urged citizens to raise awareness on the importance of protecting and conserving the forests as well as tree growing.

Taking part in forest restoration is a step towards ensuring a better and healthy future for current and the generations to come. Restoration of the forest areas creates new environments where biodiversity thrives, and ecosystem services are achieved. Sustainable management and restoration of forests also promote economic activities that cascade down to improved livelihoods. Restoring the forest landscapes is a path to recovery of the ecosystem and humanity.